Interstate havoc: Winfield man arrested for murder
John McAdams
ATHENS — A Winfield man left a trail of devastation behind on Interstate 65 in Limestone County last Tuesday, May 6.
Brilliant celebrats 25th anniversary of CoalFest on May 23, 24
Special CoalFest 25th Anniversary T-shirts are now on sale. Shown displaying a couple are town clerk Jessica Lee, right, and water clerk Candie Linley. Extra small kids’ sizes to adult XL sizes are $10. Sizes 2XL and 3XL are $12. Shirts are available in light purple, light pink, lime green, royal blue, charcoal gray and black colors.
BRILLIANT — For 25 years, the Town of Brilliant has held one of the very best festivals in the area. Organizers note 2025’s edition is gearing up to be no less than possibly the best ever.
Held annually on the Friday and Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, this year’s CoalFest is set for Friday, May 23, and Saturday, May 24.
Hamilton's Local Farmer's Market opens this Saturday; new location, dates & hours
HAMILTON — The Hamilton’s Local Farmer’s Market operated by Hamilton native Gabby Parker will open for the season this Saturday, May 17, with a once a month market schedule and a new downtown location.
Annual supplu drive for Safeplace is a success; community thanked for its efforts
HAMILTON — Marion County Domestic Violence Task Force Secretary Sarah Emerson, who also chairs the annual supply drive for Safeplace, recently shared information with the newspaper for a followup on this year’s event.
High school graduation schedules announced
Marion County Schools: (All on Thursday, May 22)
Brilliant High School, 7 p.m., Dickinson & Walker Memorial Stadium (Rain location - high school gym);
Hackleburg High School, 6 p.m., Hackleburg high school gym;
Hamilton High School, 8 p.m., Sargeant Stadium (Rain location - HHS gym);
Marion County High School, 7:30 p.m., Rayburn Stadium (Rain location - J. Shelton Akers Gymnasium); and
Phillips High School, 7 p.m., Phillips High School gym.
Winfield City: Friday, May 23
Winfield City High School, 7 p.m., Estes Hudson Stadium.
Springfest is this Friday night, Saturday
Hackleburg begins paperwork on allowing alcohol sales
The pool at Hackleburg is scheduled to open May 30 with a Summer Bash.
HACKLEBURG — Citizens spoke at the wet/dry election held on April 22, and now businesses in Hackleburg will be able to sell alcohol. However, ordinances must be in place first. The town council met Monday, April 28, in regular session, with attorney Tony Glenn to begin this process.
Gabe Skinner selected to attend Space Academy in June; HMS student shares winning essay
HAMILTON — Gabe Skinner, 12, a sixth-grade student at Hamilton Middle School, has been selected to attend the Space Academy for Leading Students in Alabama at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala.
Alabama 4-H ambasssador president receives Barbara D. Thorne 4-H Scholarship
Ana Kathrine Whisnant
AUBURN UNIVERSITY — Alabama 4-H goes beyond extracurricular clubs and trips to summer camp. It equips students with skills and resources to take the next step in life. This year, the Alabama 4-H Foundation awarded more than $38,000 in scholarships to high school seniors seeking higher education. Ana Kathrine Whisnant, of Marion County 4-H, is the recipient of this year’s Barbara D. Thorne 4-H Scholarship.
Vote to sell alcohol passes 186 vote yes, 134 vote no in Hackleburg election last week
Shelia Whitfield, clerk, and Hackleburg Mayor Daryl Colburn look over election results for the wet/dry vote. Hackleburg voted to sell alcohol in the city limits with 186 yes votes and 134 no votes.
HACKLEBURG — Hackleburg has become the fourth municipality in Marion County to sell alcohol within their respective city limits. The special called election was held Tuesday, April 22, where 310 voters turned out to the polls, along with 10 absentee votes sent in. The results favored for the town to go wet with 186 yes votes and 134 no votes in the election.
Community tips lead to drug bust
HAMILTON — The Hamilton Police Department raided a housing authority apartment on Ragsdale Avenue and seized large amounts of methamphetamines, controlled substances and paraphernalia on Tuesday, April 22.
Aldridge accepts position at T.R. Miller
WINFIELD — Winfield City High School Principal Adam Aldridge has accepted the principal position at T.R. Miller High School in Brewton, Ala.
Grassroots, efforts, grass related ordinance concerns addressed by Hamilton council
HAMILTON — A grassroots effort to deal with enforcements of an ordinance focusing on grass height in the City of Hamilton has resulted in city officials rethinking several of the rules and regulations.
Hackleburg FCCLA Team brings home gold, silver medals; 3 perfect scores
Shown from left are the winning FCCLA students, their categories and their medals and places: Lane Harper-Entrepreneurship Level 3, Gold, first place (perfect score); Braelyn Ingram- Community Service Display Level 3, silver medal; Brianna Fleming-Chapter and Review Display Level 3-Silver, 4th place; Ana Kathrine Whisnant-Job interview Level 1-Gold, 5th place; Caroline Whisnant-Job Interview Level 1-Gold, 1st place; Addie Hill- Entrepreneurship Level 1-Gold, 1st place; River Hargett-Interior Design Level 1-Gold, 1st place (perfect score); Violet Chambers- Interior Design Level 1-Gold, 1st place (perfect score); Emma Robnett-Chapter Service Portfolio Level 3-Silver, 4th place; Dacey Mcduffa-Teach and Train Level 1- Gold, 1st place; and Adrian Ingram-Chapter Service Display Level 3, Silver. Not pictured are Ally Robnett and Sadie Fincher-Interior Design Level 3, Silver; and Kyndall Cleveland-Interior Design Level 1-Gold, 1st place (perfect score).
HACKLEBURG — Congratulations go out to the Hackleburg High School’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Team!
Guin's Annual Springfest is next weekend, May 9-10
GUIN - Festival season in Marion County will kick off next weekend with Guin’s annual Springfest celebration, featuring lots of fun, food, games, attractions and live music for the entire family.
Hamilton sets new policy on public records requests
A resolution adopted by the City of Hamilton will enforce a new policy on public records requests and sets fees for the same.
HAMILTON — A new “Public Records Request Policy” has been set into place for the City of Hamilton after a resolution in favor of the policy was passed at the city council’s Monday, April 7, meeting.
Winfield cheerleaders place 13th in nationals
Right, the Winfield varsity cheerleaders celebrate with their trophy at Universal Orlando Studios. Left to right, front row: Bella Thompson, Baylee Pennington, Anna Claire Tidwell, Chloe Beth Kleypas and Lily Hubbert. Middle row: Coach Sandra Seals, London Wallace, Gabby McCullum, Bella Tidwell, Makinzie Jones, Kaelyn Weeks, Alyssa Travis, Caroline Butler and Coach Ashley Wilson. Back row: Jenna Westbrooks, Addyson Rhudy, Ally Tidwell, Kylee Harbin, Alaya Blackburn and Isabella Posey.
ORLANDO — Winfield City High School varsity cheerleaders placed 13th out of 58 teams at a national cheer competition despite a last minute injury.
Winfield’s varsity cheerleaders competed in the National High School Cheerleading Championship in February in Orlando, Fla.
New Pilot donates $20,000
WINFIELD — A few weeks after its soft opening, Pilot Travel Center on Highway 129 in Winfield hosted an official ribbon cutting on Tuesday, April 15. Pilot’s Zack Mann, Hope Wilson, Cassie Clark, Allison Hinshaw, Haley Wheeler, JoAnn Cole, Tracie Inman, Ginarose Bizzle, Wendy Head, John Cunningham, Nick White, Russ Griffin and Hunter Candela were joined by members of the Chamber of Commerce, city leaders, and friends and family. Pilot donated $20,000 to Neighborhood Bridges, which will help Winfield City Schools.
WINFIELD — Pilot Travel Center General Manager Russ Griffin and Regional Manager Hunter Candela, joined by Superintendent Randy Thomley, Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Simmons, and Neighborhood Bridges Area Director Jill Spann; present Winfield City Schools with a check for $20,000, which will go to the Neighborhood Bridges charity. Neighborhood Bridges partners with Winfield City Schools to provide needs for students and families to help students succeed in the classroom. The event occurred on Tuesday, April 15, during the ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Pilot station located on State Highway 129.
Historic Hamilton-Sullins House open each Firday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
HAMILTON — The historic Hamilton-Sullins House, located in downtown Hamilton, is now open for visitors and tours each Friday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Private tours can also be arranged by appointment.
May reappointed to school board for second term
WINFIELD — The Winfield City Council voted to reinstate Chad May for a second term on the Winfield Board of Education during its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 1.